Machine noise reduction method

ABSTRACT

An ordinary corrugated cardboard carton sized for packaging a machine is used for reducing noise from operating the machine. The carton is lined with noise absorbing material, prospective access openings are marked on the carton, and after the machine is set up, pieces of the carton wall are cut out to form access openings, the carton is placed over the machine, and the cut-out pieces of the carton wall are used for normally closing the access openings.

United States Patent 1 Hesselein 1 MACHINE NOISE REDUCTION METHOD [75] Inventor: Robert J. Hesselein, Fayetteville,

[73] Assignee: Lipe Rollway Corporation,

Syracuse, NY.

[22] Filed: Jan. 7, 1974 21 App]. No.: 431,014

[52] U.S. C1. 93/36 M, 181/33 K, 93/36.01 [51] Int. Cl B3lb 49/02 Field of Search 181/33 K, 33 C; 93/36 M, 93/36 R, 36.01; 206/319, 521; 229/14 H, 14

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,087,578 4/1963 Reed et a1 181/33 K 3.633.706 1/1972 Kennedy 181/33 K 3,700,068 10/1972 Francis 181/33 K 3.782.496 1/1974 Thien et a1 181/33 K Primary Examiner-Roy Lake Assistant Examiner-James F. Coan Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Cumpston, Shaw & Stephens [57] ABSTRACT An ordinary corrugated cardboard carton sized for packaging a machine is used for reducing noise from operating the machine. The carton is lined with noise absorbing material, prospective access openings are marked on the carton, and after the machine is set up, pieces of the carton wall are cut out to form access openings, the carton is placed over the machine, and

' the cut-out pieces of the carton wall are used for normally closing the access openings.

6 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures 1 MACHINE NOISE REDUCTION METHOD THE INVENTIVE IMPROVEMENT Many efforts are being made to reduce the noise from machinery, and these include sound reducing enclosures for machines. However, the enclosures are often very expensive compared to the cost of the machine. The invention involves recognition of a way of making a much cheaper sound reducing enclosure by using an already existing packaging and shipping carton for the machine. The invention aims at simplicity, economy, optimum use of existing materials, and'efficient reduction of noise from machines.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The inventive method includes forming a packaging carton'of corrugated cardboard for fitting around-and enclosing a machine, the carton being suitable for shipping the machine. Noise absorbing material is secured to the walls of the carton, and the outside of the carton walls are markedfor the location of prospective access openings to the machine. The carton is used for packagingand shipping the machine if required, and pieces are cut out of the noise absorbing walls of the carton to form access openings. The carton is placed over the machine at a work location, and the cut-out pieces of the carton wall are used for normally closing the access openings.

DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a noise reducing carton packaging a machine for shipment according to the invention;

' FIG. 2 is an end elevational view of the carton of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the wall of the carton of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a partially schematic view of telescoping of carton parts together to form longer or shorter cartons;

FIG. 5 is a partially schematic, elevational view of a machine normally enclosed by a sound reducing carton according to the invention, but having the carton raised up over the machine for complete access to the machine; and

FIG. 6 is a partially schematic, side elevational view of a noise reducing enclosure according to the invention with the cover of the enclosure raised for access to the machine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION A preliminary concept of the inventive method is recognizing that an ordinary, corrugated cardboard packaging and shipping carton can serve as a basis for a' noise reducing enclosure for a machine. As shown in FIGS. 1 3, carton 10 is formed to fit around and enclose a machine for packaging and shipping'purposes, and carton 10 is preferably formed of known materials and made in known constructions. Machines that produce troublesome noise are generally relatively large and heavy and require a substantial packaging and shipping carton. As best shown in FIG. 3, the wall for such a carton 10 preferably has a double thickness or relatively heavy inner wall 12 and outer wall 13 on opposite sides of three corrugated laminates l4 separated by divider walls 15. The invention applies to thinner laminates of corrugated cardboard, but the wall 1] shown in FIG. 3 is popular and preferred for carton l0.

Carton l0is preferably formed by known construction techniques such as scoring or creasing seam lines and'corners, and using adhesives, staples l8, adhesive tapes, etc. Carton IO'preferably enclosed the top, both sides and both ends of machine 20 for shipping. and can also extend under and enclose the bottom of a packaged machine. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, packaged machine 20 rests on a skid l6, and carton I0 is bottomless but otherwise encloses machine 20 and also rests on skid 16. Machine 20 is preferably bolted to skid 16, and straps l7 fasten carton l0 securely to skid 16.

To adapt carton 10 to use as a noise reduction enclosure for machine 20, a sound absorbing material 19' is secured to the walls of carton 10. Material 19preferably covers substantially the entire interior of carton 10, although material 19 can also be applied to the outside of carton 10. Various synthetic foams and other soundabsorbing materials either in flat sheets or molded shapes can be secured in place in various ways including adhesives, fasteners, spray application, etc. Sound absorbing materials 19 can be formed in egg carton and other shapes, can contain a lamina of lead or other material for absorbing low frequency noise, and can be applied in various thicknesses. Sound absorbing material 19 preferably covers substantially all the wall surfaces of carton 10 for optimum'noise reduction;

To facilitate installation of carton 10 over machine 20 prospective access openings 21 are marked on the outside of carton 10 'at locations where access will be desired to machine 10. Markings 21 can be applied by stencils using paint or ink, and can be indicated by scoring, precutting, perforations, or other means. In addition, the location of an output opening 22 is marked on carton l0, and'markings 23 and 33 are made to indicate the eventual top and cover line for carton 10.

Machine 20 is then shipped in carton 10 while packaged as illustrated in :FIG. 1 and is then unpacked and set up at a work location as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. In addition, the invention can be applied to existing machines by shipping an empty carton 10 to the place where a machine has been in operation. Also. damaged or worn cartons 10 can be replaced by fresh cartons shipped to the site of machine 20.

As shown in FIG. 5, machine 20 is set up on legs 24 and a support stand 25 is erected around machine 20 to support a base 26 on legs 27. Base 26 extends under machine 20 and around machine legs 24, and is covered with sound absorbing material 19 such as used for lining carton l0. Carton 10 can then be supported on stand 25 to enclose machine 20 as shown in FIG. 6, and for complete access to machine 20 such as required for major repairs, carton 10 can be raised up over machine 20 either manually or by cables 28 and pulleys 29 or other means.

In fitting carton 10 to machine'20 at its work location, pieces 30 of the wall 11 of carton 10 are cut out around access opening lines 21 to form access openings, and this is readily done with a sabre saw cutting through both carton wall 11 and sound absorbing mate rial 19. The cut out wall pieces 30 are then used for normally closing access openings to the machine 20 and are preferably hingedly mounted in their respective openings. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, adhesive tapes 31 can serve as hinges for cut out pieces30, and latches 32 pivotally mounted on the wall II of carton 10 hold pieces 30 normally closed in their respective openings.

Many different latches, hinges, and fasteners can also be used to hold pieces 30 hingedly or removably in place in carton wall 11.

The top or cover 35 of carton is preferably openable as shown in FIG. 6, and this can be accomplished inseveral ways. In the illustrated version the upper regions of carton 10 are cut off along end lines 23, and side line 33 so that top 35 is hinged along upper edge 36 and rests on the cut away upper region of carton 10 at an angle as illustrated. Cover 35 can then be pivoted upward as illustrated in FIG. 6 and supported by struts 37. This allows loading of machine 20.

The carton 10 selected for illustrating the inventive method is intended to enclose a bar feeding machine which is loaded with bars by opening cover 35 and feeds bars through an output end opening to a bar working machine. However, the invention can be applied to any machine making troublesome noise and having or being adaptable to a corrugated cardboard packaging orshipping carton. Then if the inventive steps are followed, such a carton can be adapted to enclose and reduce the noise from the machine. The carton can completely enclose and extend under the bottom of the machine or can rest on a support stand as illustrated, and the carton can have various access openings for input, output, adjustment, and repair. An open bottom carton is readily raisable up over the machine for complete access to the machine, and cartons can be readily replaced if damaged or worn.

FIG. 4 shows the telescoping together of two carton portions 40 to achieve cartons of different overall lengths. Beginning with one standard carton length, different length machines can be packaged and enclosed by cutting and telescoping cartons together. Various fasteners and supports can be added to insure adequately strong construction for telescoped cartons.

Once a standard carton is established for a given machine, itcan be mass produced and marked for appropriate cutting of openings or covers and then can be applied both to new machines and old machines of the same design. With the corrugated cardboard walls of the carton supporting sound absorbing material around the machine, the total cost of the sound enclosure is only a small fraction of the cost of a specially made sound enclosure of conventional design. In addition,

' the invention makes full use ofa corrugated cardboard carton that is purchased and used anyway for shipping the machine and would otherwise be a disposal problem.

If desired, carton 10 can be painted, decorated, or can carry messages or instructions. It can also be rein- .forced or guarded from damage in a variety of ways,

and its replacement cost is moderate if it is damaged. Tests of the inventive method in operation for a bar feeding machine have shown substantial noise reduction proving not only the economy but the usefulness of the inventive method. I

Persons wishing to practice the invention should remember that other embodiments and variations can be adapted to particular circumstances. Even though one point of view is necessarily chosen in describing and defining the invention, this should not inhibit broader or related embodiments going beyond the semantic orientation of this application but falling within the spirit of the invention. For example, those skilled in the art will appreciate the different materials, constructions, and accessories and techniques that can be used in practicing the invention to reduce noise from a machine.

I claim: 1

l. A machine noise reduction method comprising:

a. forming a packaging carton of corrugated cardboard for fitting around andenclosing said machine, said carton being suitable for use in shipping said machine;

b. securing noise absorbing material to the walls of said carton so said carton walls support said noise absorbing material;

c. marking on the outside of said carton walls the location of prospective access openings to said machine;

d. using said carton for packaging and shipping said machine if required;

e. cutting pieces out of said noise-absorbing walls to form said access openings;

f. placing said carton over said machine at a work location; and

g. using said cut out pieces of said carton wall for normally closing said access openings.

2. The method of claim 1 including covering substantially the entire interior of said carton with said noise absorbing material.

3. The method of claim 1 including lifting said carton up over said machine for complete access to said machine.

4. The method of claim 1 including cutting said carton to form a raisable cover for the top of said carton.

5. The method of claim 1 including forming said carton by telescoping together separate parts of said carton.

6. The method of claim 1 including forming a support stand for said carton, said support stand including a base covered with said sound absorbing material and extending under said machine.

Q UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PATENT NO. 6,867,875

DATED Q February 25, 1975 |NVENTOR(S) Robert J. Hesslein It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

The lnventor's name should read Robert J. Hessleln Signed and Sealed this Twenty-seventh Day Of July 1976 Q [SEAL] Attest:

RUTH c. MASON c. MARSHALL DANN Q Arresting ()jfr'cer (mnmissruner oj'PaIenrs and Trademarks 

1. A machine noise reduction method comprising: a. forming a packaging carton of corrugated cardboard for fitting around and enclosing said machine, said carton being suitable for use in shipping said machine; b. securing noise absorbing material to the walls of said carton so said carton walls support said noise absorbing material; c. marking on the outside of said carton walls the location of prospective access openings to said machine; d. using said carton for packaging and shipping said machine if required; e. cutting pieces out of said noise-absorbing walls to form said access openings; f. placing said carton over said machine at a work location; and g. using said cut out pieces of said carton wall for normally closing said access openings.
 2. The method of claim 1 including covering substantially the entire interior of saiD carton with said noise absorbing material.
 3. The method of claim 1 including lifting said carton up over said machine for complete access to said machine.
 4. The method of claim 1 including cutting said carton to form a raisable cover for the top of said carton.
 5. The method of claim 1 including forming said carton by telescoping together separate parts of said carton.
 6. The method of claim 1 including forming a support stand for said carton, said support stand including a base covered with said sound absorbing material and extending under said machine. 